My day of running errands last week resulted in a cracked shoe heel, in an emergency sort of way. I was pointed to the nearest shoe repair, Jim’s Shoe Repair. When I entered the shop, I felt like Jane Seymour in Somewhere in Time, only this time it was 1932, the year Jim’s Shoe Repair opened. As I opened the door, my eyes widened and my pace instantly transitioned.

I was ushered into an individual mini-booth, with an Alice in Wonderland type hinged door, where I sat while my shoe was mended. In each booth there is a little leather foot rest to keep your feet from touching the floor while seated, and the privacy of the booth allows your exposed feet to be hidden from the public. How delightfully elegant! The original gold cash register is still in use and the beautifully pitched ring of the buttons and drawer are sublime.

How civilized to have a place to secret your bare feet while your shoe is being repaired at Jim’s Shoe Repair.

The original register from 1932 still rings out each customer with a beautiful cha-ching.

I have always loved sending greeting cards, whether they be my own designs, or cards of another artist I admire. When I was touring with Broadway shows, I always perked up when I would see San Diego on the itinerary. The artist of Suzy’s Zoo, Suzy Spafford, is from San Diego, so I knew I would have the opportunity to shop at Seaport Village and stock up on my Suzy’s Zoo cards and paraphernalia. My mother also knew I loved Suzy’s Zoo and I treasure a bookmark she gave me with a little ballerina mouse and the statement “Believe in Yourself,” which I have had displayed within eyeshot of my working space for more than a decade.

WELL……while at the Licensing Expo, as I was lettering names for passersby, I started lettering a name. S…..U……Z……Y! As I wrote it I thought, could it be? Would it possibly be Suzy from Suzy’s Zoo? I knew she also had a booth at the show, so it just had to be! Upon inquiring, it was!! I was so honored that such a creative artist, and someone whose work I adored, would come into my booth! We had a little chat and I did the most obnoxious thing, I asked for a photo with her. Suzy was every bit as lovely as I would hope the master of those adorable creatures to be.

Whenever I visit another artist’s workspace, I imagine what the late 19th century artist salons and later, the artist colonies, must have been like! Remember all those impressionists, who summered together, sharing ideas? What about Appledore Island! Oh, to have been a guest of Celia Thaxter’s for the summer! (I visited Appledore and Celia’s garden, and I will tell you about my visit one day!)

I have a trio of Inspiration Boards above my light table where I do most of my work. Tidbits of clippings, colors and quotes that constantly rotate, guided by my whim. When I visited Amanda Pearl’s atelier (see this week’s earlier postings), I just loved her oversized Inspiration Board.